After a couple of years of overhauling and rebuilding the roster, the Texans targeted specific roster needs this offseason through free agency and the NFL Draft.
That meant finding capable bodies to fill in holes along the offensive line, finding players to address major losses in the receiver corps and then adding some much-needed depth in a secondary that was already among the best in the league. Now that the Texans feel they’ve done all of that, it’s about putting it all together as DeMeco Ryans and his staff get set to head into their third training camp to break through the glass ceiling that has been the second round of the playoffs.
“With our roster, where we are now, I feel really strong about our roster,” Ryans said. “I always take into account, every year, every player that’s on our team. Some people have the adage of, ‘Oh, you guys are going all in because you make a certain move here or there. Well, to me, what year aren’t you going all in? If you’re not trying to go all in, whatever that move is, then it’s just a disrespect to the organization, a disrespect to all the players who are putting their bodies through a ton of pain, a ton of suffering to go out and play this game.
“So, for me, just respecting the game and what it means to me, every year, we’re trying to accomplish the goal of winning it all, doing our absolute best to put our team in position to do that.”
With a defense that should prove to be among the best in the NFL this season and a quarterback in C.J. Stroud, considered among the best of the young signal callers, the Texans head into training camp this week with major expectations for the 2025 season.
Here are five things to watch for this training camp.
Will C.J. Stroud bounce back from a rough sophomore campaign?
After a brilliant rookie season, quarterback C.J. Stroud seemed to take a step backward in his second season. Some of the reasons were out of his control, such as an out-of-synch offensive line that allowed him to be sacked 52 times and a wide receiver corps decimated by season-ending injuries to Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs. But Stroud also had issues with accuracy, decision-making and holding the football too long. But he is back for his third season, better prepared and with a new offensive attack under new offensive coordinator Nick Caley, who came over from the Los Angeles Rams in the offseason.
“He’s implanted a lot of things he’s done in the past, which is important, as well,” Stroud said of Caley. “The system is important, and he’s doing a great job.”
How much has the offensive line improved?
The biggest eyesore for the Texans last season was the offensive line, where the unit was besieged with holding and offside penalties and busted assignments, which led to C.J. Stroud being the second-most sacked quarterback in the league. The Texans parted ways with veterans Laremy Tunsil and Shaq Mason, hoping this will be an addition by subtraction. Three of the five starters return, and they have added veterans Trent Brown, Cam Robinson, Laken Tomlinson and Ed Ingram. Robinson, who signed a one-year, $12 million deal to replace Tunsil and protect Stroud’s blindside, might be serviceable if healthy this season until second-round pick Aireontae Ersery is ready.
“For the big guys up front, they play a physical game, we won’t know truly what we have until we put pads on, until we see these guys in training camp and see them in game action, actually get their job done,” said Ryans.
Which of the rookies has a chance to make an immediate impact?
This was the third NFL Draft for general manager Nick Caserio and DeMeco Ryans, and while they didn’t come away with C.J. Stroud or Will Anderson Jr., they came out of the 2025 draft addressing some real needs. Look for cornerback Jaylin Smith and maybe even Jaylen Reed to come in and immediately add to the depth in the secondary. Iowa State receiver Jayden Higgins, who is 6-foot-4 and runs a 4.47 in the 40-yard dash, could replace Tank Dell as the Texans’ speed receiver and complement Nicco Collins perfectly.
Info Box:
Texans Training Camp Details
What: Seven free training camp practices are free: July 23, July 26, July 28, July 29, July 30, Aug. 1, Aug 2 and Aug. 14
Where: Houston Methodist Training Center
Start time: 9 a.m.
How to obtain tickets: Ticketmaster.com
What kind of one-two punch can Nick Chubb and Joe Mixon bring?
The biggest surprise of the offseason acquisitions was the late addition of Browns’ running back Nick Chubb, right before minicamp in June. Chubb isn’t quite at the level prior to his serious knee injury two years ago, but the perennial Pro Bowl running back still has plenty left in the tank and is expected to back up Joe Mixon this season. The two former AFC North running backs could form a formidable one-two punch in the backfield this season. Chubb has some injury concerns, but coming into a situation like the Texans, where he will be expected to carry much less of the load, could extend his career and benefit the Texans and Mixon.
“We’re excited to add Nick Chubb to our team,” Ryans said. “Everything I’ve heard about Nick, and just following his career, he’s just a tremendous worker. Humble kid. Doesn’t say much. But he’s a grinder, a worker.”
Which of the newcomer wide receivers will make the greatest impact?
This camp will pay much attention to the wide receiver corps, which only returns one proven player in Nicco Collins. The remainder of the group are guys with potential. During the offseason, the Texans attempted to give C.J. Stroud some more targets with the additions of Justin Watson and Braxton Berrios, and they traded for Christian Kirk. Also in the mix will be Xavier Hutchinson and John Metchie, who will compete with Watson and Berrios for a roster spot. But drafted Iowa State rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel will receive most of the attention and have a chance to make an impact in the receiving corps.
